In the freebase method, freebase DMT is loaded into a glass pipe and heated from the bottom to vaporize the crystals by conduction or convection (depending on the vaporizer). When done correctly, this method avoids the pitfalls of directly lighting the crystals. This can cause the DMT crystals to break down. Or, it can create impurities or harsh smoke.

Preparation

You will want to obtain a freebase pipe or “oil burner” pipe for the freebase method. These pipes are sold very cheaply online or at your local head shop—the ones with a large funnel type bowl and long stem work best for this method. Many psychonauts recommend more advanced vaporization pipes, such as the glass Vapor Genie, which uses convection heating to melt the DMT. While more expensive than standard freebase pipes, it is known for its smoothness, ease of use, and efficiency. 

Once you have your pipe, fit the bowl with 1-3 fine mesh stainless steel or copper screens. The screens will (mostly) contain the DMT while it melts, allowing the liquid to spread along the mesh surface as it vaporizes. For the heat source, we recommend using a butane torch lighter. The blue flame’s constancy allows you to regulate the heat much more effectively than your standard Bic lighter flame.

Procedure

Sprinkle the DMT crystals evenly over the center of the screen. Be sure to keep the crystals away from the screen edges so that they won’t easily drip past the screen into the bottom of the bowl when they melt. When you’re ready to journey, hold the torch flame above the screen without letting it make contact with the DMT crystals directly. The trick is to use the torch’s heat, rather than the flame itself, to raise the temperature just enough to vaporize the crystals without causing them to combust and wastefully burn. 

You will have to experiment with the correct flame distance to allow this vaporization to occur. Several inches away, bring the flame increasingly nearer to the bowl from the bottom and inhale slowly and deeply. While you’re heating, slowly rotate the pipe backward and forward to swish around the DMT for a uniform melt. It may be tempting to inhale forcefully and quickly in the hopes of a one-toke blastoff, but you don’t want to rush it, or you risk creating an unsustainably harsh smoke. As the DMT vaporizes, you will see your slow inhale drawing the light, white DMT vapor into the chamber. Let it fill your lungs, and hold the vapor for at least 10 seconds. After an exhalation and a deep breath to re-oxygenate, this process can be repeated multiple times if needed. 

Keep it Clean

Over multiple uses, the DMT will burn onto the pipe’s inner surface, creating grime that will increase the harshness of the smoke. To prevent this, clean the pipe regularly by soaking it overnight in 90% isopropyl alcohol with some salt mixed in. After the soak, use a pipe cleaner or q-tip to scrub away any loosened resin. 

Note: it’s possible to evaporate the solvent and reclaim some freebase DMT from the dissolved residue. This is because small amounts of unburnt DMT liquid that dripped into the pipe will still be active.